Table 3 Dietary practice of the study participants at the public hospitals of Bench-Sheko and Kaffa zone, southwest Ethiopia 2021 (N = 566)
Variables | Dietary practice | Frequency (N) | Percent (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
Following specific dietary regimen during pregnancy | Yes | 62 | 11 |
No | 504 | 89 | |
Eating more carbohydrate source foods daily | Yes | 203 | 35.9 |
No | 363 | 64.1 | |
Eating animal source foods daily like meat, milk, and others | Yes | 220 | 38.9 |
No | 346 | 61.1 | |
Eating fresh fruits daily like orange, mango | Yes | 389 | 68.7 |
No | 177 | 31.3 | |
Eating fresh vegetables daily | Yes | 423 | 74.7 |
No | 143 | 25.3 | |
Eating snacks between main meals daily | Yes | 303 | 53.5 |
No | 263 | 46.5 | |
Taking iron-folic supplements daily | Yes | 466 | 82.3 |
No | 100 | 17.7 | |
Taking additional meals per day during pregnancy | Yes | 261 | 46.1 |
No | 305 | 53.9 | |
Number of meal frequency | One | 8 | 1.4 |
Two | 50 | 8.8 | |
Three | 247 | 43.6 | |
Four and above | 261 | 46.1 | |
Monitoring weight during pregnancy | Yes | 426 | 75.3 |
No | 140 | 24.7 | |
Skipping meals during pregnancy | No | 443 | 78.3 |
Yes | 123 | 21.7 | |
Types of skipped meals | Dinner | 57 | 46.3 |
Breakfast | 30 | 24.4 | |
Lunch | 36 | 29.3 | |
Avoiding any foods or diet during pregnancy | No | 424 | 74.9 |
Yes | 142 | 25.1 | |
Reason for avoiding foods/diet during pregnancy | Religion | 69 | 48.6 |
Culture | 0 | 0 | |
Avoid big baby | 14 | 9.8 | |
Labor difficulty | 13 | 9.2 | |
Dislike | 46 | 32.4 | |
Overall dietary practice status | Good (≥ 75%) | 134 | 23.7 |
Poor (< 75%) | 432 | 76.3 |